XIV.
Draco watched Granger’s cleverly disguised self rise from the small table and exit through her second-story window. Whatever she’d said to Nott left him reeling. He watched her descend the fire escape and adjust her watch. The sinking feeling of his confirmation agitated him. His friends betrayed him. They’d lied to him. It’d been going on for nearly two years right under his nose. They’d taken the bait, though. He knew made a clever guess at who Pansy’s informants were. He was right. A few drinks too many, and the Ministry regulars would cling to any time of gossip Draco fed them.
Draco apparated to Smith’s home and waited for Granger to arrive. No one else was out on the street as the rain intensified. He’d have to be smart about intercepting her before she tried to kill him. But she was a creature of routine and habit. He watched as she remained tucked in the recesses of the next building over. She threw a few potions back as she waited for him.
Draco covered his blonde hair with a replica of Smith’s usual stocking cap. He drew up the collar of his robes to hide his profile from view. He held the opened cuff in his left pocket and his wand in his right. He was ready for her.
He sensed her transition out of her space and felt him fall in line behind him. She was silent on her feet. He had to give her credit; she was good. But he was prepared.
“Silencio!”
Granger stumbled back as Draco spun to face her. Her panicked eyes shined with realization. She was a mouse in his trap. She turned to run, but Draco clasped the bracelet around her wrist and pulled her back against him. She threw her free elbow back and connected hard with his cheek. He wrapped both arms around her waist and lifted her against him. He was at least a foot taller than her and used his size as an advantage. She thrashed wildly in his arms. But his grip was tight around her core. He wasn’t letting her loose.
Granger sent her head flying back with as much strength as she could, and it connected hard with Draco’s clavicle. He cried out while a tingling sensation rocketed through his arm. She used it as a distraction and pulled hard to the right side, exploiting his weakened arm. She broke free and took off on a sprint in the other direction. She pulled angrily at the cuff he’d placed on her wrist, but it didn’t budge.
He took off after her, his long legs catching up to her quickly. He was done playing games with her. He threw his arms out and tackled her to the ground. She landed with a grunt, and he flipped her over and pinned her arms above her head while he sat against her torso. She bucked and moved beneath him, but Draco had her pinned now.
She strained her arms above her head and tried to bring them closer, her right hand reaching for the watch on her left wrist. She was nearly there when Draco pulled her hands back apart. He unclasped the watch quickly and pocketed it in his cloak.
Her frustration and rage came in the form of tears as a few tracked silently down her face. It wasn’t her face, though, Draco thought.
“Revelio.”
Hermione’s freckles began to come through first. Her hair darkened and curled around her, and her small, delicate features took place. Her eyes were last. No longer the sharp blue that was so unfamiliar to him. But her light green eyes with the golden halos around the irises returned.
“There’s my girl,” he said quietly.
She tried to kick him between his legs one last time, but he blocked it.
“Stupefy.”
And Granger’s world went dark.